As a partner with Concept Hotels, Mr. Patel oversees an ever-expanding portfolio of service-oriented boutique and branded hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been in multiple volunteer leadership positions in the industry for over a decade. Building on his foundation of a business degree from the University of California, Berkley and a master’s degree from Cornell University, he has been an active member of the CH&LA Board for several years and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hospitality & Restaurant Foundation and was previously an Ambassador for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

Ms. Haack is the executive vice president and managing director of the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes for Destination Hotels & Resorts and was nationally recognized by the American Hotel & Lodging Association as the General Manager of the Year in 2010.

These elections came after Board Chair Allan Farwell, General Manager Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, announced his resignation as Chair and Member of the Board at the recent Board meeting at the Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center. Effective in July, Mr. Farwell has accepted a new position to be the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

“We welcome Bimal and Terri to their new Board positions and look forward to their leadership. We also wish Allan the best of luck in the future and appreciate his years of commitment and leadership in the California lodging industry,” said Lynn Mohrfeld, CAE, CH&LA’s President & CEO.

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The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) was established in 1893 and is a Partner State Association of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. It represents all segments of the lodging industry including the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns - California’s largest association of professional innkeepers and certified bed and breakfast inns. CH&LA is the leading resource for communicating and protecting the rights and interests of the California lodging industry. CH&LA is on the web at www.calodging.com.